| What is your most memorable childhood experience? | I hate being forced to choose one single favorite thing, most memorable experience, best whatever. I have had a lot of tremendous experiences, and I don't think I can choose one over another. I remember going to a movie when I was a little over two years old, and my dad trying to discuss it with me afterward. I remember stepping on a nail with my bare feet when I was four; it went through my foot, and I remember being calm, and unafraid, because my dad was calm and unafraid. (I later learned he was panicking, but he didn't let it show). I actually remember being impressed by that at the time. I remember the first and only time my parents fought: on my seventh birthday and I was terrified. My dad took me to a park when I was about seven, and taught me to ride a bike in one afternoon, and that opened a whole new world for me (or at least whole new neighborhoods). One of the most important memories is when my dad decided to start reading to us. I was perhaps five. Every night at dinner, he would read a few pages from a book. He started with "The Lord of the Rings." I can't remember how long this lasted, but that's when I became hooked on reading (and ultimately on writing too). I don't know how significant any of these are, but they are all memorable to me, and I think about them every now and then. |
| What immediate family member do you closely identify with and why? | I don't actually closely identify with any of my immediate family members. To be clear, I have a very good relationship with them. But I have become a very different person than each of them. My mother tells me that I was always self-reliant and self-sufficient as a small child. Eventually, I think this manifested as independence; I hesitate to draw a sense of identity from associations with other people. As a teenager I tried very much to be like my father and to please him, so for a time I suppose I closely identified with him. But that wasn't really my own personality, and I grew out of it. I love my family, and have learned things from each of their personalities, but at this point I simply don't identify with the world-view or personal outlook of any of them. I don't know if that helps you. But for whatever it is worth, I am very happy with who I have become, regardless of how little I identify with my family members. |
| What character traits do you admire in an individual? | Intelligence, open-mindedness, logical thought and the ability to entertain thoughts he or she might disagree with. The ability to recognize and laugh at his or her own faults. Kindness, compassion, and loyalty. |
| What is the funniest thing ever to happen to you? | I find everything funny. I have a tendency to find humor in inappropriate things. I joke a lot, I laugh a lot. And yet ironically, I cannot think of a "funniest thing" that has happened to me. |
| If time and money were not an issue, where would you travel and why? | Everywhere. I want to go everywhere. I love travel. I have been to Australia, Japan, several places in Canada, London, and Paris. I like the way that viewing other cultures changes one's perspective. I like seeing how other people live and work and shop and play. I love seeing cultural treasures in places that are drastically different from America. I think you would have to work very hard to come back from a trip out of the country the same person you were when you left. |
| When and if you ever have children, what would you like to pass on to them? | I have a list of little lessons and tips I want my daughter to know. I want to pass on everything I know and appreciate. I want her to love books and writing and good theater. I want her to know that loyalty, bravery, and empathy are more important than financial success or social standing. One great friend is more valuable than dozens of acquaintances. Most importantly, I want to pass on the things she'll need to know to be entirely self-reliant. |
